Senate Resolution 74

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SOUTH MCCOMB
BAPTIST CHURCH MEMBERSHIP UPON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, the South McComb Baptist Church
membership will celebrate an exceptional milestone, their 100-year anniversary,
on March 30, 2003; and

WHEREAS, South McComb Baptist Church was
founded in early 1902 by Mr. and Mrs. S. Murray Wilson, and because of an
historical phenomenon, which was the combination of two churches, South McComb
Baptist Church is in existence today; and

WHEREAS, Whitestown Baptist Church, which
was organized on January 27, 1894, passed a resolution on November 7, 1902,
that read as follows: "That if the
Baptist people in South McComb are willing to purchase a lot in South McComb
and build a house for Baptist worship and to hold their membership in it, the
Baptist people in Whitestown are willing to join them in the effort to build
the house, and to hold our membership with them," and five months later
these two committees were in the process of building the first South McComb
church building together; and

WHEREAS, for the first 50 years, South
McComb Baptist Church had only four Pastors, the first of whom was Reverend
J.P. Hemby, the second Pastor was Reverend J.H. Lane, the third Pastor was
Reverend R.R. Jones, and the fourth Pastor was James A. Bryant; and

WHEREAS, a Sunday School was implemented
immediately following the organization of the church, a Woman's Missionary
Society was active as early as 1905, and a Brotherhood was organized in 1946;
church members voted to appoint a building committee for a Pastor's home on
December 4, 1921; the educational annex was built in 1949, and the basement of
the church was completely remodeled in 1951; and

WHEREAS, Reverend C.F. Barnes moved to
South McComb from Wesson, Mississippi, to serve as Pastor in October 1953, and
Reverend Herman P. Hayes of Bossier City, Louisiana, accepted the Pastorate of
South McComb Baptist Church in July 1956, and Brother and Mrs. Hayes served
South McComb Baptist Church until July 1959, at which time they departed for
South Vietnam under appointment of the Foreign Mission Board, and Reverend W.R.
Gifford moved to South McComb Baptist Church from Picayune, Mississippi, in
December 1959; and

WHEREAS, the church built an educational
building that served eight elementary departments and dedication services were
held for the new elementary building in May 1963; and

WHEREAS, Reverend David A. Millican, who
moved to South McComb Baptist Church from Stonewall, Mississippi, began his
service on July 15, 1963, and in September 1964, the church voted to proceed
with plans to build a new auditorium, which was completed and dedicated in
September 1965; and

WHEREAS, in September 1965, Reverend
Millican started the Kindergarten Ministry of South McComb Baptist Church,
which at one time was the largest kindergarten in Southwest Mississippi, and
the kindergarten has been a strong ministry of South McComb Baptist Church for
38 years; and

WHEREAS, a new bell tower was constructed
on the west side of the sanctuary and dedicated on Bi-Centennial Sunday, July
4, 1976, and the 75th Anniversary Celebration was held on September 17, 1978,
with Dr. Earl Kelly, Executive Director-Treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist
Convention Board as guest speaker; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Michael Johnson was called as
Pastor in August 1996, and Reverend Ted C. Bowlin of Monticello, Mississippi,
was called as Pastor on October 11, 1998; and

WHEREAS, looking back over the last 100
years of ministry of the church, it is evident that the Lord has guided South
McComb Baptist Church every step of the way, and as the church begins a new
time of service and outreach for the Lord, we recognize this outstanding church
which has been a remarkable inspiration to people throughout Mississippi and the
world:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we commend and congratulate South
McComb Baptist Church upon their 100-year anniversary, and we wish them every
success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this
resolution be furnished to South McComb Baptist Church and to members of the
Capitol Press Corps.